Associate Pastor's Note
The first of December always makes me think of my childhood opening Advent Calendars, one box for each day of December, counting the time as we moved forward toward Christmas. Each day a foretelling, a waiting, a preparation, an anticipation of something being born anew at the end of 25 days. There is something really
important about this building process . . . and it’s not about what presents we give or the decorations we put up.
It’s about ultimately how thoughtful we will be — who will we remember with special notice? What preparation will we do to make a family celebration that sparkles and delights? There is much personal planning we must do for those we care about, and we will spend much time thinking about gratitude also. Many of us will think about people who have no place to go on the holiday, or not enough to eat. These are such important pieces of what Jesus’ birth is all about. The huge consumer push of our culture around Christmas doesn’t have to hijack all these powerful elements that really are the reason we remember His birth year after year, century after century.
This Advent I invite you to notice and count the days, and mark each day with intention about the elements of Jesus’ coming:
• You can pick up one of the UCC Advent Daily Devotionals at the Library Entrance and the Narthex, and mark your days that way, or with an Advent Devotional of your own.
• Begin the day with an intention to slow down and do spontaneous acts of kindness throughout the day.
• What about lighting a candle at dinner and considering what it means for a Light to come in the Darkness, and where you can bring that Light in the world around you?
• Can you do something extra this month for a local charity or food pantry, help with Loaves & Fishes cooking, or think about someone you know may be alone this holiday and extend an invitation!
• If you are struggling with the joyful holiday energy buzzing around you, come to our Blue Christmas Worship on Thursday, December 14 where we can honor with you how dawn can still come after the dark night, and wonder at how the birth of God’s Love can comfort a broken heart.